Toothaches

Mason's first 2 teeth were normal...the bottom, central incisors came in at 6 months.

Now 1.5 months after his first two teeth were cut, the weirdest thing happened. Lately he's had moments of being especially fussy (the week before last wasn't good and there were some moments today when I could tell he was in pain) so I knew the next 2 were coming in. Today at church I felt 2 teeth had broken through on the top. I just assumed they were the normal top central incisors...BUT they're the top LATERAL INCISORS! When I'd felt the tooth buds, I couldn't really tell where in his mouth they were located. But yes, apparently he's on a schedule of his own- veering off of "the book."

All I have to say is my child is going to look like a freak with his fraggle-toothed mouth.

Hurrah.

I don't like teeth anyhow. Right now they hurt him like the dickens...and he hurts me as he gnaws on my legs/elbows/fingers/shoulder while teething and most unfortunately while feeding. Yes, we may be weaning sooner than I had wanted. Those crazy La Leche League people told me "Oh no, out of our whole group no one was bitten." Liars!!!

Monkey at the Park

After what seemed like eons of rainy days, today was a gorgeous day so we headed out to the park. We actually went for a jog in the park yesterday too, but it rained on us in the middle of my run so I definitely didn't enjoy the muddy jogging.

A sleepy Mace.

Poor groggy baby. But he was pleased to see it was sunny too.
Here he is fully awake.
He found the green grass.

And then crawled away to find lots more green grass. {yes, I realize this is totally BORING}

He's still too little to play on the jungle gym. But he enjoyed watching bigger kids climb, slide, and trek through the playground.

But nevertheless, he tried to entertain himself.

I kept having to peel him off of the gym as he used every surface for teething

(on a public playground...nasty! hope we don't get sick this week)

Mason thought the slide was much more tasty than fun.

One day soon, he'll enjoy playgrounds for playing and not teething. I hope!

Bigger Fan Now

I've never been a huge sports fan, but I'm guessing I will likely take more interest as my son gets involved in various athletic activities.

Of course my favorite team is Alabama...and my favorite sport is baseball. We might just have to take a road trip in the spring to initiate my kiddo.

Odd Objects of Desire

I'm the one who likes all the baby toys...

Mason's content just banging a metal bowl with a wooden spoon (which he also stuffs in his mouth as a chew toy). He's also fascinated with water bottles (empty or full) and I keep an empty bottle in the car so he can play with it while I load up and he's stuck in the carseat. A scary item of interest is plastic bags; he likes the crinkling noise and will stick them in his mouth immediately (yikes, NO Mason NO!). But thank goodness Gigi gifted him with a special Crinkle toy- it looks like just a yellow cloth rag, but there's crinkle paper inside so it's a delight to Mason's ears AND can be laundered after he slobbers it with baby juice. And lastly, he loves paper...to eat.

Ha! Mason looks like he's perturbed that I'm taking a photo of him playing. Please excuse the mess in the background, I was cleaning and unpacking from my New Orleans trip...after 3 days I still have some things to get in order (*sigh*).

Whitehouse Correspondence

Mason Tinsley Smith received a lovely correspondence note from President Obama and First Lady Michelle welcoming him into the world. Many thanks to Jessica, I'm proud to say she's making it big time on "The Hill" in our state Senator's office. Jess pulled some strings to make this happen...she rocks!

Boot Scootin' Boogie

My sunroom is rug-less right now while I'm in the process of redecorating. Mason figured out that he could scoot around while lying on his back...he cracks me up!

Cool Shirt Kiddo

Mason now has the coolest shirt ever!

Our friend Martina of The Monogrammin' Momma, made us this wayyy cool Alabama t-shirt and Mason was able to sport his team spirit this past Saturday. I'm pretty sure he was the good luck charm...that's why we slaughtered North Texas 53 to 7.

Yeah, he wasn't happy that I kept trying to sit him still. He kept looking at me like, "Why Mommy? This is torture."

And then of course I gave in and he was off trying to find what else he could get his hands on...

Uncle Josh and Aunt Mary came in town. Here's Mace and Uncle J sporting their crimson pride!

Go check out The Monogrammin' Momma and her super-cute offerings.

Thank you Martina!!!

Stylin' Boy

I just realized that the ratio of Mason's new clothes to mine is probably something like 10:1

It's just much more fun shopping for my little man rather than shopping for myself. I try on clothes and then end up depressed because it's either: a) too small; b) not flattering; c) too expensive; or d) all of the above. So I fit in my shopping/fashionista-wannabe fix by dressing my son up like he's a miniature little man...like he's a doll. I'm sure he'll appreciate it one day- NOT!

Favorite places to shop for baby boy clothes:

Preppy

RalphLauren.com

Baby Gap

Gymboree

Traditional

Janie and Jack

Smocked

My Messy Monkeys

Windmill Kids

Tricia's Baby Station

Mason and Mommy Time

Today Nanny C had to take care of her ailing daughter so I took a "sick day" and that left most of the had a day for Mason and Mommy time. I'm worn out!

At one point I left M in the living room surrounded by his toys and thought, "Oh I have a second to run to the kitchen (adjacent room) to wash off this drool". I returned seconds later to find him trying to climb the sofa with an unbalanced grip and he fell hitting his head on the surrounding toys. I seriously don't know how on earth he's learning all these new tricks it scares me. Of another concern: Mason's particularly attracted to hazardous items such as cords, plastic bags, electronic appliances, etc. He's going to make my hair turn grey before I'm 30!

Tonight I watched an ABC special on parenting and discipline. The experts (the main guy was from Yale) advised that the most effective discipline tool for parenting is praising your child when they do the right thing. I've actually heard before "that's the way women can train their husbands" so I suppose it makes sense for children since men are oversized children anyhow. I always wonder if the experts have children, and if they're well-behaved... I was a strong-willed child myself. I've seen hints of temper tantrums from Mason, but I'm still hoping he'll be an easy child.

But back to the day. He's worn me out. I'm hoping I've worn him out. He's in the swing right now, but I thought I'd share a sweet video of him talking (notice I like videos now that I can use this different camera with the clear picture)

Cruising

Since When Did He Do That

M has learned to climb/pull up on whatever he can get ahold of. One of his favorite things to climb is the bouncy seat...as in the kind that moves when you touch it...as in unstationary and unstable. He's an adventurous little kid.

Here's the video I mentioned, taken last week:

Baby Proofing

Mason is mobile! I have some great clear videos on one camera...the one where I can't find the right USB cord. But I'll post the climbing and cruising video once I figure that puzzle out. In the meantime, our house is yet again drastically changing as baby proofing has taken over.

Here's a sample:

These items are all installed or ordered {thank goodness}, but I still have a Baby Proofing To Do List:

• remove all rubber doorstops, replace with ?
• relocate all plants
• buy a fireplace screen
• secure all cords
• figure out what to do with all the items under my open-cabinet kitchen island
• crawl around on Mason's level throughout the home to figure out what he's going to pull down, pull up on, push over, etc.

Some Highly Opinionated Mommy Thoughts

{below post not going into Mason's journal}

I subscribe to most of the Attachment Parenting's eight principles:

1. Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting
2. Feed with Love and Respect
3. Respond with Sensitivity
4. Use Nurturing Touch
5. Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
6. Provide Consistent Loving Care
7. Practice Positive Discipline
8. Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life

I have the Dr. Sear's Baby Bible Book and get current e-mail updates on tips notes and suggestions for parenting too (so there!).

• Despite some challenges at the beginning of my pregnancy, I was probably the happiest I've been in my life (well up until M's birth) as a preggers; had a healthy labor and delivery and bonded well with M even in the hospital
• I nurse on demand and for his comfort; he's also starting off with only organic foods
• M is very sensitive so I respond in-kind, being attentive to his mood changes and needs
• I babywear, especially when Mason's being clingy (ie. around teething time)
• We co-slept until he was 6 months (I only stopped because neither one of us was getting much sleep and I wasn't a very good mommy in that extraordinarily exhausted state)
• While I can't be with him all the time, I made sure to find a nanny who loves on M as if he were a family member of her own. She respects and follows my quasi-AP parenting style

____________________________

BUT there are some things I strongly dislike about some hardcore Attachment Parents. I especially hate when an AP mom is judgemental and condescending towards others if you don't follow all principles...or if you mention the word/terms: schedule, disposable diapers, or discipline. I've had AP moms look at me like I'm the devil.

A month ago I was just about flamed when I asked someone how they started their child on eating solids. Now grant it I started M on cereal at 4.5 months and he loved it, but when he reached 5 months he was "just not that into it" so I delayed until 6 months to try again following his readiness cues. My question to saidmom revolved around the feeding schedule and when it'd be a good time to introduce solids. And there was that AP dirty word, "schedule."

Get over it! The last AP principle is "Balance in personal and family life." I'm a single mother who works full-time AND travels for business so I often have to leave M with his nanny. M dictates his routine, and I've asked his nanny to follow his lead but he needs cues from us too because he's just a baby and doesn't always necessarily know why he's hungry/hurt/needing attention. So a flexible schedule/routine is a way to give him consistency and help with nurturing and providing security. I'll even go further with this suggesting that AP parents who don't encourage some sort of routine may be missing the point on the whole AP parenting thing in general. I'm not talking about a rigid schedule, watching the clock, or marking off a checklist, but I am talking about things like encouraging a child's bedtime by consistently starting a nighttime routine to encourage bedtime sleep (for us it's a long process of bath, special mommy and Mason bonding time, calm playtime, nursing, nursing, nursing, rocking and book, and down in the crib).

My question is- so when do AP parents do tasks like bathe their children (my son certainly doesn't give me cues that he's ready for bathtime, I initiate that activity)?

I'm definitely a quasi-Attachment Parenting parent; there can be different levels. And there's nothing wrong with that because a parent should recognize that not every child fits into a particular mold. My goal is to nurture and encourage the best health and development for my child in a loving and secure environment.

OK. Rant over.

Cruisin' For a Bruisin'

Boy howdy, he sure is floppy doing it but Mason is starting to cruise! He did it on the chairs at church this morning but I discounted it as he's kind of wobbly anyhow; tonight he pulls up on the laundry basket and slowly wobbles around side-to-side...very slowly, and very unsteadily, but he's doing it, moving along. AND IT SCARES ME!

Gigi said I was crawling at 6 months, started pulling up and cruising by 7, and then took off with a RUN not a walk at 8 months. I still think Mason won't walk until 9 or 10 months, but if he keeps practicing with this whole cruising thing I better watch out.

I Lied...

...I think I still like M in smocked outfits.

He'll only be able to wear these clothes for a short while, so I should take advantage of it while it's appropriate. Yesterday I went to Tricia's Baby Station and they're currently running a 50-75% off warehouse sale (note: many of their smocked items are still $40 after the discount so make sure to shop around). I picked up 4 adorable (yet manly!) outfits, I even found his birthday jon-jon.

The below smocked jon-jon I got the below from My Messy Monkeys.

But no Mason, I promise not to get you any weird poodle, lavender, flowery, or otherwise-girly outfits. So far you look dashingly handsome in that safari smocking!

We Love Gigi and Grandadder

I just know there's something special about today...
Now what on earth is it?

Of course! It's Gigi & Grandadder's special day...their first GRANDPARENT'S DAY!

Now what should I write? Oh yes, "Happy Grandparent's Day!"

Our Special Talks

Mason was particularly chatty tonight. In fact, I'm quite impressed with his recount of the day.

{yay for consonants...my baby isn't a dinosaur!}

7-Months Old

At 7 Months, Mason's...

...a big flirt.

...will only sit for a second...
...and then he's off, crawling around all over the place.
...loving his Baby Einstein (reserved for especially fussy times or when Mommy needs to cook).

...growing and changing every day. He's wearing his 9-month clothes, so it's time for Mommy to go shopping again (uh-oh!).

..exploring the world with his mouth....a messy eater, but he likes to try and feed himself. Here he is eating avocadoes while Mommy has her guacamole-fix....climbing to pull up to standing. He has really poor balance when he lets go though. I think his big baby head tips him over.It's official now...we're over the hill on infancy, just 5 months until his first birthday!

The Race for the Cup

Although Mason's been crawling for the past couple of weeks, he had almost regressed into this state of:

bear crawl...bear crawl...plop-on-the-belly...turn-to-half-sitting...plop...real crawl...real crawl...army crawl...bear crawl...plop...turn...turn...sit...smile...

Well you get the picture. But Sunday night when I was out on a date Aunt Mary and Uncle Josh were watching him. Mason eats up being the center of attention. And of course when I get home, I found that my silly monkey had been crawling all over the place for the past couple of hours. I caught some of it on camera since I hadn't recorded it yet, although he was a little fatigued by the time I got home.

Cheering the Tide

Saturday night for the game we went to a friend's house for a cookout. Aunt Mary and Uncle Josh came to our crib for the weekend (we got to see Mary for 3 weekends in a row!) and Mason experienced his very first Bama celebration. He was quite the party animal.

Aunt Mary & Mason (and Baby Smith in the tummy)
Uncle Josh in his non-Alabama clothes. He was of course rooting for Bama...

Mason learned that although it was a close call against the Hokies, a win is still a WIN. So we went home happily that evening.

{PS I think I've resolved to NOT take Mason to a Bama game this early. I guess M might think it's fun to have bourbon thrown on us (a drunken baby), expletives yelled around the stands (might be Mason's first words), and dodging cups and bottles thrown if a ref makes a bad call (M would probably think it's a hoot).}